Avengers: Unbreakable
The Avengers and all related characters and settings are the property of Marvel Inc. and their respective affiliates. All rights reserved (by them, not me).
Episode 1: Confluence
Chapter 12
Previous relevant chapter: 10
No. 7 Marquee nightclub, New York
The music throbbed and the bodies gyrated on the crowded dance floor as Janet van Dyne and her friend Andrea cruised through the club. The garish lights glanced across their tight skirts and bare skin, transforming them into goddesses of sensuality. The men in the crowd turned and followed them with their eyes as they passed. But Janet and Andrea had more important things to accomplish than flirting a guy into buying them an overpriced drink. Andrea had to lean in close to be heard over the thumping sound, briefing Janet as they plowed through the throng.
"Now listen. When you meet him, turn on the charm, Okay? He's a sucker for a pretty face."
"Got it."
"But be careful. He's a pathological womanizer. You shouldn't have to put out to get a grant from him."
"I got it," Janet said.
"But at the same time, don't be a prude. We need this money."
"Okay, Andrea, I got it!"
They had reached the bottom of a flight of stairs leading up to the VIP section of the club. Andrea looked up.
"Alright. Here we go."
Tony Stark was partying and dancing in his own private area, cordoned off from the rest of the club and guarded by his own hand-picked bouncers. Gorgeous women hung on him like ornaments on a Christmas tree; beyond them, an entourage of friends and other hangers-on spun out in all directions. Janet and Andrea arrived outside the cordon.
"Mr. Stark!" Andrea yelled.
Stark turned around. "Yes?"
"Hi! Andrea Spector from the University."
"Oh yes! Of course!" To the bouncers: "They're OK. Let 'em in."
Andrea and Janet entered.
"I'd like to introduce Janet van Dyne from the school," Andrea said. Janet stepped forward and extended her hand.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Stark. I've heard so much about you."
Stark took her hand and held it as he resumed dancing. The way he couldn't take his eyes off her made clear he was enchanted. He assumed – since it was always the case – that the enchantment was mutual.
"Well, well, the pleasure's mine," he said. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"Oh, no thank you. I have to drive home tonight."
"No you don't. You could come to my place."
Janet laughed coquettishly, but looked awkwardly at Andrea, who was already being left embarrassingly on the sideline. "That's very . . . thoughtful of you, but Andrea and I both have to get home tonight. Tomorrow's a work day."
"That's too bad," Stark said. "Considering, you know, you'd be like the only girl in Manhattan not to accept the offer of a drink from Tony Stark."
"Well, we really can't stay long. I was just hoping to speak to you for a moment if I could."
"Uh oh. Is this the part where you hit me up for money?" Stark leaned in close. "Or is this the part where you secretly admit you'd rather take me home than Andrea."
Janet laughed again. "Actually, this is the part where I ask whether that repulsor technology of yours might have applications for green energy in the developing world."
Stark became intensely focused then. "Well Ms . . .."
"van Dyne," Janet finished.
"Well Ms. Van Dyne. I see you've done your homework. Let's see, van Dyne. You wouldn't be related to Vernon van Dyne would you?"
"He's my father."
Stark looked off vacantly for a moment, thinking. "He was doing that work on radiation effects in humans wasn't he?"
"We are doing it – together – yes," Janet corrected him.
"Yeah. Good scientist as I recall. We looked at some of his stuff. It was a little . . . quirky, maybe, for our purposes." He flashed a good-natured grin. "But judging from the product of his genetic code, I'd say he's clearly doing something right."
Janet sighed. She was going to have to do this the hard way.
"Now Mr. Stark. You know better than to make fun of a girl's father on a first date."
"Oh it's a date now," Stark said, smiling.
"Well, you never know where a new acquaintance could lead," Janet answered flirtatiously.
"Uh huh," Stark said, starting to dance again.
Janet leaned in close and started dancing with him.
"But right now, I have to hit you up for money."
"Is it for a good cause?" Stark asked. Their bodies were starting to move in synch now.
"A very good cause, Mr. Stark."
"I see. Well, if it's for a good cause."
"So how much can we count on you for?"
"Oh, you can count on me for as much as you need."
"Oooh," Janet said, turning up the flirt. "That's a lot."
"I have a lot to give," Tony said.
"Uh huh."
"What are we talking about? Fifty thousand?"
"Oh that would be very generous. That would meet . . . almost three percent of our need."
"A hundred?"
"Oh Mr. Stark. You said I could count on you for as much as I need."
"I did."
"My needs are . . . really strong."
"Really strong huh?" Stark was thoroughly enjoying this game.
"Almost irrepressible," Janet said passionately.
"I see. Two-fifty?"
"Oh Mr. Stark. You're too kind."
Stark grinned.
"You know, I hate coming to a party and getting fleeced by a woman who's both smart and sexy."
Well then, Mr. Stark?" Janet replied.
"Yes?"
"You should stop going to parties."
She stepped back and left him dancing by himself.
"Okay," he said. "I guess I had that coming."
"Well, like I said, we can't stay long," Janet said
"We?" Stark said. "Oh, yes, of course – Andrea! Great to see you again."
Andrea just smirked.
"So, you'll have your people get in touch with my people?" Stark said to Janet.
"Yes, absolutely. And thank you again."
"Hey, it's for a good cause."
"A very good cause." Janet and Andrea turned to go.
"Hey, seriously," Stark called after her. "Say hello to your father for me, okay? If there's anything I can do for him . . . or you - give me a call." He fished a business card out of his pocket and passed it to her.
"I will," Janet said, this time in earnest. "Thanks."
"That's got my direct number on it," Stark said. "I don't give that to everyone. So, you know, if those needs of yours start getting irrepressible again . . . ."
Janet laughed. "Goodnight Mr. Stark."
Janet and Andrea started back down the stairs of the nightclub.
"Irrepressible?" Andrea said. "Sheesh."
"Hey, I got what I came for didn't I?"
The home of Vernon van Dyne, White Plains, New York
Later that evening, for the second time in 24 hours, Janet van Dyne approached the front door of the home she shared with her father, Dr. Vernon van Dyne, late at night. Her high-heel party shoes clopped loudly on the walk, so she slipped them off and walked the rest of the way barefoot. As she had done the night before, she entered the front door, dropped her keys on the foyer table and called out for her dad. And as the night before, there was no response. She padded quickly down the stairs in her bare feet, rounded the corner into the basement . . .
And froze in terror at what she saw.
